The City of Toronto has proclaimed April 21 to 28 as National Immunization Awareness Week in Toronto, an annual event sponsored by the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness. Toronto Public Health (TPH) urges all residents to get immunized to protect themselves, their families and friends from dangerous yet preventable diseases.

"Diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella commonly caused death and illness in our city a century ago, particularly among children, and can now be safely prevented by vaccines," said Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health.

To protect the population better, Ontario recently expanded the publicly funded immunization schedule for childhood immunizations to include three new, additional, free-of-charge vaccines:
• a rotavirus vaccine
• a new combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine
• a second dose of varicella vaccine to help increase childhood immunity against chickenpox

As part of this expansion, a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine for adults 19 to 64 years of age who missed getting their teenage booster shot is also available free of charge.

"Immunization is one of the most important tools we have to protect the health of children and to greatly reduce lifelong health risks for all members of the community," said Councillor John Filion (Ward 23 Willowdale), Chair of the Board of Health.

Every time school-aged children receive a vaccine, their parent/guardian should report it to Toronto Public Health in one of these ways:
• Online reporting system can be accessed through http://www.toronto.ca/health/immunization_children/immunization_records.htm
• Call: 416-392-1250
• Fax: 416-338-2487
• Mail: Toronto Public Health - Immunization, 850 Coxwell Ave., Toronto, M4C 5R1
(Send clear photocopy only. Do not send the original yellow immunization card.)

For more information, call the Immunization Information Line at 416-392-1250.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.